 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
Occam is best known for a maxim which is not to be found in his works, but has acquired the name of "Occam's razor." This maxim says: "Entities are not to be multiplied without necessity." Although he did not say this, he said something which has much the same effect, namely: "It is vain to do with more what can be done with fewer." That is to say, if everything in some science can be interpreted without assuming this or that hypothetical entity, there is no ground for assuming it. I have myself found this at most fruitful principle in logical analysis.
Source: A History of Western Phillosophy, 1945.
More info.: https://russell-j.com/cool/HWP_1945.pdf